University community creates a network to connect institutions to volunteers and support the elderly during the pandemic

COmVIDas was born thanks to Rita Almeida e Brito (fourth-year nursing student), in partnership with a medical student, Filipa Paiva Couceiro (ageing psychologist), and two communication specialists. COmVIDas aims at organizing a help network for institutions that support the elderly who are facing difficulties due to the pandemic.

The objective of COmVIDas is to signal the institutions that support elderly people and create help teams. The intent is to create a bridge between institutions and volunteers able to help in a safe and responsible way. Institutions and volunteers can sing up on the website. On the same portal, it is also possible to donate funds, individual protection materials or offer houses so that volunteers can fulfil their quarantine time after the field mission.

Throughout the month that each mission lasts, volunteers are monitored daily by a team of psychologists. “This is not about keeping people company or helping out from time to time. The work is very hard, so the daily monitoring of the fragility that these volunteers will encounter is essential ”, said Filipa.

“It seemed clear to me that there would have to be a national response. In addition to having many institutions asking for help, there were many people available and ready to volunteer, ”said Rita.

The project started on Sunday 29th March and in less than 24 hours it gathered 100 volunteers.

Adapted from: https://www.portugalcomvidas.com/
https://foreveryoung.sapo.pt/projeto-comvidas-procura-quem-queira-ajudar... https://visao.sapo.pt/atualidade/sociedade/2020-04-16-o-projeto-portugal...
More information: https://www.portugalcomvidas.com/